|
Early Life and Training
Frederick Arthur Bridgman, an American artist, was born on November 10, 1847, in Tuskegee, Alabama. He was the son of a physician and began his artistic journey as a draughtsman in New York City for the American Bank Note Company (1864-65). Bridgman's early training also included studying art at the Brooklyn Art Association and the National Academy of Design.
Parisian Influences
In 1866, Bridgman moved to Paris, where he entered the studio of Jean-Léon Gérôme, a noted academic painter. Gérôme's precise draftsmanship, smooth finishes, and focus on Middle-Eastern themes significantly influenced Bridgman's work. This period marked the beginning of Bridgman's association with Orientalist subjects.
Artistic Career
Bridgman made his first trip to North Africa between 1872 and 1874, dividing his time between Algeria and Egypt. He executed approximately three hundred sketches, which later became the source material for several oil paintings that garnered immediate attention. Notably, The Funeral Procession of a Mummy on the Nile (1877), bought by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., earned Bridgman the Cross of the Legion of Honor.
Legacy and Later Life
Bridgman maintained a lifelong connection to France but remained popular in America. In 1890, he had a one-man show of over 400 pictures in New York's 5th Avenue galleries, with the show later moving to Chicago's Art Institute. Bridgman's works have sold at auction for $250,000 USD to $350,000 USD.
- Notable Exhibitions:
- Corcoran Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.)
- Speed Museum (Louisville, Kentucky)
Online Presence
View Bridgman's artwork and learn more about his life at:
Discover more about Orientalism and its notable artists at:
|
Early Life and Training
Frederick Arthur Bridgman, an American artist, was born on November 10, 1847, in Tuskegee, Alabama. As the son of a physician, Bridgman's early life was marked by a strong emphasis on education. He began his artistic journey as a draughtsman in New York City for the American Bank Note Company (1864-65). This period was followed by studies at the Brooklyn Art Association and the National Academy of Design.
Parisian Influences
In 1866, Bridgman traveled to Paris, where he entered the studio of Jean-Léon Gérôme, a noted academic painter. Gérôme's influence on Bridgman was profound, shaping his draftsmanship, finish, and interest in Middle Eastern themes. This period marked the beginning of Bridgman's association with Paris, which would become his headquarters.
Artistic Career Highlights
- The Funeral Procession of a Mummy on the Nile (1877), showcased at the Paris Salon, earned Bridgman the Cross of the Legion of Honor. This piece was later purchased by James Gordon Bennett Jr. and eventually donated to the Speed Museum in Louisville, Kentucky.
- A prolific artist, Bridgman's work includes A Street Scene in Algeria, notable for its biographical and historical significance, featuring two seated male figures in an intimate domestic setting.
Legacy and Later Life
Bridgman maintained a lifelong connection to France while enjoying popularity in America. A one-man show of over 400 pictures in New York's 5th Avenue galleries (1890) and later at Chicago's Art Institute, with 300 works, underscored his success.
Notable Works and Collections
- An American Circus in Normandy
- Procession of the Bull Apis (now in the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.)
- A Rumanian Lady (in the Temple collection, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Recent Sales: Works by Bridgman have sold at auction for $250,000 USD to $350,000 USD.
References
- Wikipedia: Frederick Arthur Bridgman
- View the greatest artists of all time on WahooArt |
Loading Frederick Arthur Bridgman biography....
| |